Device for instruction in golf strokes



J. D. EDGAR.

DEVICE FOR INSTRUCTION IN GOLF STROKES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19. 1920.

1 ,409,688, Patented Mar. 14, 1922.

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UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

DEVICE FOR INSTRUCTION IN GOLF STROKES.

Application filed May 19, 1920.

To aZZ whom it may canoe m:

Be it known that I, JAMES DOUGLAS EDGAR, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Devices for Instruction in Golf Strokes, of which the following is'a specification.

The invention relates to'a device or combination of devices for use as a guide in practising driving and other strokes in the game of golf and adapted to indicate whether the stroke is being executed in the generally recognized correct manner.

The device according to the invention comprises a curved bar, the curvature of which corresponds with the projection on the horizontal plane of the correct swinging arc of the toe of the golf club head in driving and making other strokes, said bar having pivotally attached thereto to lie sub stantially at right anglesan arm in the form of a strip supporting at or near its outer end a projection adapted toserve as a tee for the ball.

The curved bar is placed upon the ground to which it may if desired be secured by suitable means. There is also placed or pegged on the ground a second bar to; be arranged at right angles to the strip in proximity to the free end thereof. This extends'in the opposite direction to the curved bar and may be connected to the strlp or independent thereof. The tee-supporting strip may be hinged to the curved bar to enable it to be adjusted to any desired angle.

The three main elements constituting the device are preferably made of a flexible material, such as rubber, so that in the event of the club head accidentally striking the device in practice, the blow will be cushioned.

In the annexed drawing, Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the device asplaced and arranged upon the ground, Fig. 2 is an elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is plan view of the blockade as arranged for putting.

A represents the curved'bar, and B the strip pivoted to the bar A at p. C represents the tee or support on which the ball to be driven is placed. D represents the auxiliary bar. 61 represents perforated lugs on the near side of bar D, and (1 represents pegs for attaching the bar D to the ground.

I may also provide afurther auxiliary bar Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 14:, 1922.

Serial No. 382.527.

E in continuation of the bar A and securable to the ground as by perforated lugs c and pegs e for use when using iron clubs instead of wooden clubs to further guide the toe of the iron and thus show and make the player swing the iron clubs in the correct manner.

In use, the device is disposed as shown in the plan view in Fig. 1, the strip B extending towards the player, substantially at right angles to the bar A. The line f f is assumed to be parallel with the intended line of flight of the ball. and with a bar A of eight inches in length the distance of the end f from the line 7 f should be half an inch. The bar I) is placed parallel to the line f f and at such distance from the latter that the club head may easily pass between the bars A and D if the stroke has been correctly played. The pivot 79 permits the tee C to be swept forward by the club head.

In practising, the player should seek.to drive so that the head of the club moves ap proximately parallel with the curved guide bar A in an oblique line outwards away from the body, whilst after the ball is struck, the second bar D on the inside serves as a continued guidance, the tee C being disposed between the two bars.

To instruct and guide a player in making a push. shot the device of the present invention may be used without the curved bar A, that is, the bar E. and the bar D may be placed, as shown in Fig. 3, in parallel relation and in advance of the ball. Vhen this is done the player in making the push shot although not prevented from making a faulty shot by the blocks because of the advance position of the blocks, cannot make a good shot unless the iron or head of the club passes through the gate formed by the blocks D and E. The tendency is therefore for the player to think less of the ball and concentrate on the idea of making the stroke of the club such that the iron will pass through the gate between the blocks. If this is done the path of the iron immediately after the ball is struck is in a straight line, that is, it follows the direction of the ball instead of con tinuing in the arc of movement of the club in the downward stroke before hitting the ball.

lVhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A device for instruction in golf strokes comprising a tee and a guide bar adapted to rest upon the ground and having a predetermined relation to the tee, said guide bar having a curvature corresponding to the projection on a horizontal plane of the cor- 5 rect swinging arc of the toe of the golf club head in making strokes to drive a ball supported by the tee.

2. A device for instruction in golf strokes comprising a tee; a guide bar adapted to rest upon the ground and having a predetermined relation to the tee, said guide bar having a curvature corresponding to the projection on a horizontal plane of the cor rect Swinging arc of the toe of the golf club head in making strokes to drive a ball supported by the tee; and means for pivotally connecting said tee to the guide bar to permit the tee to move independently of said guide bar in case of accidental engagement of the club head with the tee.

3. A device for instruction in golf strokes comprising a blockade adapted to be placed on the ground in close proximity to the ball having a passage in line with which the ball is located and through which the head of the club must pass to strike the ball when making the correct stroke to properly propel the ball.

4. A device for instruction in golf strokes comprising a blockade having a passage in line with which the ball is located and through which the head of the club must pass to strike the ball when making the correct stroke to properly propel the ball; and

means associated with said blockade for indicating the are through which the head of the club should pass when making the correct'strok'e to properly propel the ball.

5. A device for instruction in golf strokes comprising an arcuate member located in such close proximity to the ball that the head of the club must be given the correct arcuate movement when striking the ball to avoid collision with the arcuate member.

6. A device for instruction in golf strokes comprising a block located upon the ground between the ball and the player and an ar cuate member located in advance of the ball at the other side thereof, said arcuate memher and block being located in such close proximity to the ball that the head of the club must be given the correct arcuate movement when striking the ball to avoid collision-with either the arcuate member or the block. V

7. A device for instruction in golf strokes comprising ablockade having a passage in line with which the ball is located and through which the head of the club must pass to strike the ball when making the correct stroke to properly propel the ball; and

means for securing the blockade upon the.

ground. I

8. A device for instruction in golf strokes comprising a blockade having a passage in line with which the ball is located and through which the head of the club must pass to strike the ball when making the correct stroketo properlypropel the ball; and means for securing the blockade upon the ground, said blockade being constituted by flexible parts adapted to yield in the event V of collision of the head of the club therewith when making a faulty stroke.

In witness whereof I have signed this specification.

JAMES DoUGJrJAs EDGAR. 

